LANSING, MI – The Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA), in comments submitted today to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), voiced its support for proposed rules to expand Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, while urging the agency to streamline paperwork and reduce regulatory barriers that hinder agricultural use.
“Agriculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors for drone use, but outdated processes make it harder for rural businesses to keep pace with innovation,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of MABA. “We thank the Administration for its forward-looking efforts to better integrate drones into the national airspace. We urge the FAA to take this opportunity to help American agriculture, ensuring final rules reflect the unique realities of agricultural work.”
In comments to the agency, MABA and its members highlighted how drones are transforming modern agriculture through aerial imaging, precision application and data collection. However, the association cautioned that outdated FAA processes, including lengthy aircraft registration and Notice to Airmen filing requirements, are slowing adoption and penalizing compliant operators.
MABA registered its overall support for the BVLOS rulemaking, and provided recommendations across several key areas:
“Michigan and U.S. agriculture will continue to be strong partners when it comes to safe, effective aviation practices,” said Lippstreu. “These comments reflect the input and concerns of a wide range of Michigan agriculture stakeholders working with drones every day. We are excited for what the future holds in this space, and welcome the opportunity to help FAA craft common-sense guidelines for drone operations.”
Overnight into October 3, the Michigan Legislature and Governor Whitmer reached a budget agreement for FY2026. Budget legislation was subsequently passed by the House and Senate and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.
MABA and the broader agriculture industry have been highly engaged on the budget process, and agreement of a bipartisan FY26 budget is an important, welcome development. We appreciate members of the Legislature from both parties, and leaders in the Administration, for getting this budget across the finish line. The agreement avoids a costly state shutdown and addresses many topics important to agriculture and MABA.
Here are some topics of interest to MABA members:
Agriculture Industry Fees and Support for Stewardship Programs: The budget process finalized a bipartisan agreement that continues certain agriculture industry fees (pesticide registration and fertilizer tonnage fees) at their current levels until October 1, 2029. In a slight change, the final enacted sunset date is earlier than the December 2030 date that had originally been passed out of the Senate. This outcome is positive for MABA members and farmers. It continues strong industry support for stewardship programs, such as the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Avoiding a fee increase is a common-sense step during a time of economic uncertainty facing agriculture.
PPPM: One of MABA’s top priorities during the budget process was supporting full funding for the MDARD Pesticide and Plant Pest Management (PPPM) function, which carries out regulations governing crop input use, provides critical food-grade export inspections, and more. This line item is fully funded at current year levels in the final budget. We appreciate the listening ear of lawmakers on this topic.
MSU: The Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture and Agriculture Resiliency Program were partially funded versus levels supported by the agricultural industry, and work will continue to support the critical work of MSU in these areas. MABA values the strong partnership with MSU CANR, Extension and AgBioResearch and prioritized these topics during the budget negotiations. We will keep members updated going forward.
Roads: This budget secures $1.5-2 billion in funding for roads in the coming years. This includes enacting a 24% wholesale tax on cannabis and decoupling state and federal tax structures. Additionally a ‘Fuel tax swap’ removes the 6% sales tax on fuel and replaces it with a 20-cents-a-gallon increase in fuel tax. Changing the structure enables sending the entire tax collected to road and bridge maintenance.
EGLE: The budget includes an item requiring EGLE to report the number of permit application appeals filed each fiscal year, as well as the number of applications approved within 30, 60 and 90 days, 6 months and one year after an application is determined administratively complete.
Questions about the budget? Please contact Chuck Lippstreu at MABA.
LANSING, Mich. – Leading Michigan farm and agribusiness organizations today emphasized their strong support for legislation passed by the Michigan Senate that keeps important environmental programs funded and in place for years to come.
Senate Bill (SB) 273, introduced by Senator Kevin Daley and cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 14 Michigan Senators, extends the statutory sunset on key agricultural fees, including fertilizer sales and pesticide registration fees. It ensures the fees will continue to be collected, at their current levels, after the existing sunset date of December 31, 2025.
Leaders of four statewide agriculture organizations issued the following joint statement:
“Safeguarding the land and water in our state is a top priority for Michigan farmers and all those in the agriculture industry, so we strongly support SB 273, which will continue existing industry fees in support of key agricultural stewardship programs.These long-standing fees provide critical support for the statewide, voluntary activities of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Nationally recognized as an innovative and proactive program, MAEAP allows farms of all sizes, regardless of commodities, to focus on practices meant to prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks.At a time when the agriculture industry is navigating substantial economic uncertainty, we are appreciative that SB 273 maintains fees at their current levels, avoiding new costs on Michigan farmers and agricultural businesses.We thank the bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation, especially Senator Kevin Daley and Senator John Cherry, for their engagement with Michigan agriculture and their thoughtful leadership.”
The statement is signed by:
# # #
This release is also available on the Michigan CCA Website, www.michigancca.org.
Lansing, Mich. – The Michigan Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Program today announced the appointment of new members to its state board following elections held this summer, and the launch of a new website, www.michigancca.org. These developments mark an important step forward in strengthening communication with CCAs, farmers, agribusinesses and partners across Michigan agriculture.
“Michigan’s Certified Crop Advisers are on the front lines as farmers’ trusted advisers, helping them make sound, science-based decisions every day in a world of challenge and change,” said Tim Schaub with Rob-See-Co., currently the program chairman for Michigan. “The launch of a new program website for Michigan, and our new, expanded board are important steps to strengthen the program, highlight the important work of CCAs, and deliver useful continuing education opportunities for them.”
The CCA program recognizes the skills and expertise of nearly 300 professional agronomists across Michigan, and delivers continuing education to help them advance in their careers.
The program is administered in partnership with the American Society of Agronomy and plays a critical role in advancing sustainable crop production, conservation and farmer profitability. The program requires rigorous testing, ongoing education, and adherence to a professional code of ethics, ensuring Michigan farmers have access to advisers with deep technical expertise and practical experience.
Board members are elected from among currently-certified CCAs and help steer program activities. The Michigan board now includes:
Growers can learn more about this program and find a link to search local CCAs in their region, by visiting: www.michigancca.org.
View this release online.
© 2026 Michigan Agri-Business Association - All rights reserved.
